Kent Primary School

Kent Primary School third graders worked together to create an exciting cereal box domino challenge! Thanks to the generous donations from KPS families, students were able to carefully line up one hundred cereal boxes to create one giant domino chain. This fun activity encouraged teamwork, patience, problem-solving, and cooperation as students worked together toward one shared goal.

This activity also served as a culminating project for our Astronomy unit, giving students a hands-on way to observe how gravity and motion work together. As the cereal boxes toppled one after another, students were able to see the effects of force, motion, and gravity in action while making connections to the science concepts they learned throughout the unit.

Watch the dominoes fall. 

After the dominoes toppled, all of the donated cereal boxes were collected and donated to a local food pantry to help support families in our community. It was a meaningful way for students to learn the importance of teamwork, science, kindness, and giving back!

The Carmel Teachers' Association partnered with district administration to host a full day of professional learning during the recent Superintendent’s Conference Day at George Fischer Middle School. The event featured more than 60 courses designed to support staff growth and student success.

“Days like today matter,” Superintendent of Schools Michael Plotkin said. “It’s one of those rare moments where you get to pause, reflect and reconnect -- with ideas, with colleagues and maybe even with the reason you chose this work in the first place. Today isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about giving you something back.”

The conference day underscored the district’s ongoing commitment to professional growth, collaboration and community, all of which enhance learning experiences for students across Carmel schools.

“CTA/Superintendent’s Conference Day reflects a strong partnership between district administration and the CTA, with over 60 thoughtfully planned courses designed to meet the needs of our staff,” said Dr. Jeff C. Gorman, assistant superintendent for instruction. “It’s a clear example of our shared commitment to continuous growth and improving outcomes for the students we serve.”

Educators spent the day engaged in a wide range of sessions, from college preparation and application strategies to interactive workshops on emerging instructional practices. One featured session, “America is 250!” led by history teacher Rob Buccheri, explored the American Revolution and its impact on Putnam County.

Another popular offering, “Innovation in the Classroom with AI,” introduced participants to tools that can enhance student engagement through interactive content. The session also focused on differentiating instruction and creating standards-aligned materials using AI-powered platforms.

The day’s programming was coordinated by middle school science teachers Joanna Sweeney and Sara Schmidt, who helped organize a schedule aimed at meeting the varied needs of district staff.

In addition to professional development, the event featured several CTA-led initiatives. The CTA Scholarship Committee hosted a raffle of themed gift baskets created by each school building, with all proceeds supporting scholarships for Carmel High School seniors.

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Photos by Denise Santalis

Six-year-old Kate didn’t hesitate when it came time to choose her favorite book.  “Actual Size” by Steve Jenkins was “the best book in the world,” she said.

Kate cast her vote on April 16, as first graders at Kent Primary School wrapped up a “March Madness of Books” tournament — a bracket-style competition that had students reading, debating and ultimately choosing their favorite titles.

The Kent Primary School first-grade team ran the event throughout March and into April, turning reading time into a spirited contest.

“It works just like basketball brackets, but with books,” said Daina Sinclair, a first-grade teacher. “We started at the ‘Sweet 16’ bracket. Each day we read a book, and every two days we voted on which book we liked better. The winner moved on to the next round.”

Students revisited books in later rounds, comparing favorites again until only two remained. On the final day, the entire first grade gathered to hear the last two contenders read aloud by first-grade teachers Sinclair and Analiese Anderson before casting their final votes.

“Actual Size” fascinated students with life-size illustrations of animal features, from a tiger’s jaws to a squid’s eye.

“I want it to win,” Kate said. “It’s scary and there’s a little creature that is so cute.”

The other contender, “The Bad Seed” by Jory John, tells the story of a grumpy sunflower seed that eventually learns to change its behavior.

Mikey, seven, from Sinclair’s class, voted for that choice.

“I liked ‘The Bad Seed’ because he was bad, but he became nice in the end,” he said.

As votes were counted, excitement filled the cafeteria. Students cheered loudly for their favorites, reacting to each tally as if it were a buzzer-beater.

In the end, "The Bad Seed" claimed the title, edging out its competitor 31-27

Students in Heather Carlson and Celeste Pregno's second grade class celebrated Read Across America Week with a "Snuggle Up with a Good Book" Day! Students and teachers wore pajamas or comfy clothes, brought in blankets and their favorite stuffed animal. The students made forts, grabbed some flashlights, and spent the afternoon reading together. The teachers even joined in on the fun by reading their own books and climbing into the forts. A wonderful afternoon spent enjoying the magic of friends and books! 

Fourth graders in Amy Constantinides and Sandra Cairl’s class at Kent Primary School honored Martin Luther King Jr. Day by learning about the life and legacy of the civil rights leader and reflecting on his dream for a more just and peaceful country. 

Students discussed Dr. King’s work and the impact he had on the nation. “He fought hard so kids could go to the same schools,” said Vivian. Thea shared that Dr. King believed in freedom for everyone. “He was saying let freedom spread out so we can all have it together. I think what he did was awesome,” she said. Alexander added that Dr. King used peaceful protests to stand up for what he believed in, even when it meant going to jail. 

After listening to a book about Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Ms. Constantinides invited students to write about their own dreams for themselves and their community. The class shared thoughtful hopes for world peace, kindness, food for everyone and an end to littering. 

Some students also wrote deeply personal dreams. One boy shared that he hopes everyone can stay in this country, while another wrote that his dream is for his family not to be deported. 

Through discussion, reflection and writing, the lesson helped students connect Dr. King’s message to their own lives and the world around them—showing that his dream continues to inspire even the youngest voices 

The third-grade team at Kent Primary School proudly hosted their first Science Day of the year, an event brimming with excitement and discovery.

Science Day featured four captivating experiments, each intricately designed around the themes of Forces and Interactions. Every third-grade teacher crafted an engaging and interactive lesson, immersing students in hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and fostered a deeper understanding of scientific principles.

The atmosphere buzzed with enthusiasm as students eagerly participated in each experiment, making learning an exhilarating adventure.

Upcoming Board of Education Committee Meetings:

Policy Committee: June 1, 2026, Administrative Office, 5:30 p.m.
Audit, Facilities & Operations:  June 9, 2026, Carmel High School, Library, 5:30 p.m.
Special Education, Support & Wellness Committee: June 23, 2026, Carmel High School, Library Lab, 5:30 p.m.

The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at the Carmel High School Library.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. The public portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Community members who wish to speak during the public comment section of the Board meeting are asked to sign up in advance using our Public Comment Sign-up Form here: https://forms.office.com/r/SnQBCFWYy8

Board meetings will continue to be live streamed on this page.  Committee meetings are open to the public.

If you like something a CCSD staff member has done, tell us at compliments@carmelschools.org. Likewise, if there is an area you think needs improvement, send an email to complaints@carmelschools.org. Both email addresses will go directly to the superintendent of schools and to the president of the Board of Education. 

Community members can sign up for our Carmel Central School District News group through ParentSquare to stay up-to-date on district news and events. You will receive weekly e-newsletters as well as other updates with important district information. Current parents and staff are automatically subscribed to receive e-newsletters.

Sign-up now!

All parents should have received their credentials via email.  Please check your SPAM/Junk email if you have not.  If you still cannot find the email, please contact Mrs. Murray in the Main Office at 845-225-5025 X342.  We already began using this application for dismissal changes, and it is working beautifully.  Take advantage of this "soft launch!"  In the fall, use of this application will be mandatory for all students' dismissal changes.  

For an overview, please see The School Dismissal Manager Website

Community members who wish to speak during the public comment portion of a Board of Education meeting are asked to sign-up in advance using our Public Comment Sign-up Form or by contacting the District Clerk four (4) hours prior to the meeting at jstevens@carmelschools.org.  The sign-up form will also be available at the meeting for anyone who wishes to speak and did not sign up in advance.  

These individuals will be called upon during the scheduled public participation section on the agenda.  To facilitate follow-up, please provide your name, telephone number, email address, and mailing address, as well as the topic of your comments.  Speakers are limited to five (5) minutes each.  No district employee or student may be commented upon or identified by name or situation.

As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing safety, communication and equity districtwide, Carmel Central School District has launched a new communication tool, Anonymous Alerts®. This tool enables students or parents to report urgent information to school officials quickly, easily and anonymously across all our school campuses. 

Access the Anonymous Alerts portal.

Recordings of Board of Education meetings and presentations from those meetings are available to the public.   

View recordings from Board of Education meetings.